How much have you cut down on work to accommodate MH issues?

[mulranno]

I am currently working 4.5 days a week in a v demanding Sr job with a big blue chip. My husband works loads too and the recession has not been kind to us. We have young 4 kids (one with sen and one a v challenging teenager) and I have been battling and juggling bouts of depression for the last 12 years (x 2 pnd, one grief and a year ago a major dep episode after narrowly avoiding bankruptcy).

Would I be cured if we sold up and I became a SAHM? Or do I just need to re-adjust the work/life balance. I am feeling under strain and feel that the depression is never too far away.

Wondered what accommodations other have put in to manage their MH issues?

Hi I went down gradually. Before dc I did 4.5 days a week or a 9 day fortnight. To be honest 4.5 days was useless as got trapped there, had no whole day off etc.

After dc I was able to ask for more part time hours so have done a variety, what works for me is whole days off and I prefer to job share rather than do part-time as when part time harder to say "no" but know job sharing a role does not help. Now I am days a week, which is just right - enough money to cover costs of childcare and when dc older be more spare cash. Work gives me a reason not to stay under a duvet and get fed up if the drudgery that is housework. And when I did not work there was no money so I got caught up in the grip of being alone and feeling sorry for myself. I have had problems with MH issues for many years and work albeit part time is helpful for me. MH issues, pnd, difficult deaths in family etc. I cannot cope not keeping my head busy and housework does not do it for me!!! Oh I gave up my career and just turn up and do my job now which suits me!

But that is just me!!! A friend does a 4 day week over 5 days, so shorter days. Another does 4 days a week. One friend went down to 2 days a week, hated the monotony of motherhood and has been applying for more hours ever since ( cannot get what she wants yet!) I would like less hours but finances not adding up here.

Would you be any happier being at home all day? Could you find ( cheap) fulfilling things to do and not be stressed about change of income etc? Would the family be happier if you moved? If facing bankruptcy was a trigger for a dep episode how would being a SAHM and change of role and finance affect you? Better or a trigger?

People are the same. Some are homemakers and do not need to work to feel self fulfilled. Some have options of working from home, self employed, others do a bit of both and struggle on.

I think it is the flight, flight or fright emotion that gets me every now and again - sometimes I just want to run away. But financial independence and security is crucial to me so I think that I just need to find a better balance as I am feeling stretched.